there was a small community of Sikhs in the Ipoh area who worked in the tin mines as general labourers or were bullock cart drivers and dairy farmers. These Sikhs built their first Gurdwara Sahib around 1890 along Club Road. Sometime later, the Ipoh Police Station was built next to this Gurdwara Sahib. Subsequently, the management of this committee came under the control of the Sikh police personn
el. The civilian Sikhs vacated this Gurdwara Sahib in 1910 as its location within the Police compound was found to be unsuitable due to security reasons. Around 1910, the Sikhs were allowed to build their Gurdwara Sahib on the present site. In 1920, these Sikhs built a new wooden building, which was used as a Gurdwara Sahib. The Sikh Holy Book, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, was respectfully placed in the Darbar Sahib on 13th December 1920. A jormela was held during, this occasion, which was well attended by the Sikh sangat from near and far. This Gurdwara Sahib land, which is 1 Acre 1 Rood in size, was gazetted as a Sikh Temple Reserve in 1929. By 1981, the Gurdwara Sahib was in dire need of repair. It was also too small to accommodate the Sikh Sangat, which had grown considerably over the years. The Management Committee set up a Building Fund Committee to raise donations to build a new Gurdwara Sahib. The foundation stone of the new double storey Gurdwara Sahib building was laid on 3rd January 1982 on the site of the previous Gurdwara Sahib. The cost of this building came to RM1,000,000.00 out of which RM120,000.00 was donated by the Government. The first religious function in this newly completed Gurdwara Sahib building was held on 9th October 1983. Sant Baba Harnek Singh Ji did kirtan and katha during this programme. This new Gurdwara Sahib was officially declared open on 22nd February 1988. The first floor is used as the Darbar Sahib. The ground floor and the annexe comprises of the Granthis' quarters, langgar hall, kitchen, store, office library and two rooms for Sikh visitors. The name of this Gurdwara Sahib was officially changed to Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh on 10th June 1985. Some of the Presidents who have served in this Gurdwara Sahib include Baba Bela Singh Kairo (1940s - 1950s), Sardar Ditt Singh J.P. (1960s), Sardar Sowdagar Singh (1970s), Sardar Tara Singh (1980s), Dato' Seri Darshan Singh Gill J.P. (mid 1990s), Sardar Darshan Singh Keliah (late 1990s) and Sardar Pajan Singh (2009-2013). who was elected as President of Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh on 21st April, 2013 and his newly elected Committee did wide ranging development at the Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Ipoh. In his leadership, WGSI saw the whole Gurdwara transformed into a modern Gurdwara with the following developments:
1) Brand New Kitchen to replace the 70 yrs old wooden structure
2) Installed Lift at WGSI
3) Renovating and Banquet like Air Condition Multi Purpose Hall to accommodate 400 people.
4) Set up a Mini Darbar Sahib
5) Modernising the Entrance and Lobby of WGSI.
6) New Ladies Rest Area Room
7) New Modern Washroom and Toilets for Ladies
8) Modern MultiPurpose Meeting / Seminar Room with Air Condition
9) Brand New Library at WGSI with AV facilities and childrens corner
10) Replacing the broken Tar road with Interlocking bricks throughout the entire Gurdwara compound
11) Upgrading and modernising the Main Langgar Hall with New Stainless Steel fittings.
12) Constructed 1st Hydraulic Nishan Sahib in the country
13) Constructed New Parshad House
14) Renovating and Upgrading of Sikh Crematorium to a proper acceptable setting at Jalan Gurdwara
15) Transforming the Entire Facade of the Gurdwara Sahib and compound with new enlarged entrance with ample Car Park area.
16) Replacing the Entire Roof of Main Darbar Sahib
17) Purchase of Brand New Hearse, Hyundai Starex Royale for the Sikh Kaum. And
18) Construction of the New Sachkhand Sahib
During his tenure, workers were employed for the care of the Gurdwara and also with an appointment of a Manager (Treasurer) and Asst. Registrar of Marriage, Mr. Mohinder Singh. During the recent AGM held, he decided not to seek for re-election and the baton was passed on to Mr. Mohinder Singh who had served in his Committee as Treasurer & Manager of WGSI. The Management Committee comprises of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, their assistants and ten committee members. The Actual marriage ceremony is performed by the Granthi Sahib in accordance with Sikh rites. Among the Granthis who were engaged in this Gurdwara Sahib was Bhai Gurdial Singh Gill, Village Kambo Dhaiwala, Amritsar who served from 1949 to 1985, a period of about 36 years. Prior to this, he had served as a Granthi in the Gurdwara Sahib Lahat, Perak for about 10 years. There are presently about 300 Sikh families in this area who participate in the religious activities of the Gurdwara Sahib. The programs held include on Thursday evenings from 6.30p.m. to 8.15p.m. and Sunday's Asa Di War Kirtan from 6.45a.m. to 8.30a.m. The Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia Perak Branch also organises programmes in the said Gurdwara.
